Bride of Christ

A devotion from Cheryl Zelenka’s soon to be released book of devotions FACING STORMS. Available on Amazon this October.
“While praying one day a woman asked, “Who are you, God?”
He answered, “I Am.”
“But, WHO is, I Am?” she asked.
He replied, “I Am LOVE. I Am PEACE. I Am GRACE. I Am JOY. I Am STRENGTH. I Am SAFETY. I Am SHELTER. I Am POWER. I Am THE CREATOR, I Am THE COMFORTER. I Am THE BEGINNING AND THE END. I Am THE WAY, TRUTH, AND THE LIGHT.”
With tears in her eyes she looked toward heaven and said, “Now I understand. But, who am I?”
God tenderly wiped the tears from her eyes and whispered, “YOU ARE MINE.” ~ UnknownI have been single all of my life. I never married and did not adopt my son until I was in my forties. I lived alone for many years. Learning to accept my life as a single person, and then as a single parent, was difficult. In fact, it can still be a challenge, but I have accepted God’s will and now recognize the many benefits my station and position in life provide.However, most little girls do not grow up dreaming about life as a permanently single person. Instead, they want to marry Prince Charming. They daydream about the wedding dress they will wear and think up ways to make their wedding day extra special, fun, and unique. I was no different. I wanted to wear that pure white dress; after all I had taken a vow of celibacy. In fact, I have remained a virgin for the King, but back then I felt I had “earned” the right to a wear a white dress. For whatever reason, marriage was/is not the Father’s will or plan for me.My personal relationship with God has always been more important to me than any human relationship. Yet, in my young adult years, I longed for a husband who would nurture and encourage my spiritual growth. Many a time I would return home after a long workday yearning for a husband’s comfort, love, and protection. I wanted a partner who would share in my problems, joys, and biblical insights.We must strive to see the blessing in the midst of our sorrow thus, I tell you now that the single life I live has brought me into a deeper understanding of God’s love for me. By leaning totally on God, I have gained insight into the many dimensions of His character and love. He wants all of us to interact with Him, learning about the many roles He plays in our lives. As for me, I relate to Jesus not only as my Savior and Redeemer, but also as my brother, friend, counselor, AND husband. I am a Bride after all. I am a Bride of Christ!If you are a single person, please do not settle for a relationship that is any less than the one God has prepared for you. He wants to give you the very best. Your marriage partner might not come for a very long time, which requires great faith and patience, but you would be wise to wait for this person. I am.If I do marry some day, I know it will be hard work (any relationship is after all), but a blessing given by the One who loves me most of all. Remember, He only gives good gifts! Furthermore, if He decides my present is a life of singleness, I will also rejoice and be glad. Why you ask? Because I believe He has my best interests at heart. I trust Him with my future and in the fact that He has equipped me to live a life best suited for His glory. Yes, I I trust God that much. He made me and therefore, He knows how I tick.So as you wait for your heart’s desire, don’t stop living your life. Follow the path God has placed you on…. work the job, buy a house, get a pet, adopt a child in need (if so led). Live your life and don’t put things on hold unless you hear God say, “Hold on and wait a bit.” Use your time wisely, by reading your Bible and memorizing scripture.As a single person, you have fewer commitments and distractions than those who are married. Take time to have conversations with God. Work on seeing Him from different angles and deepen your intimacy with Him. He really is all you need. If you align your will to His, the desires of your heart will be granted. Seek His face in diligence and fervor asking, “What do you want from me and how would you like me to serve You?”I am a Bride of Christ! I will wear white on my wedding day and feast upon wonderful foods at the wedding supper of the Lamb! I am His beloved, and He, my dear reader, is mine.READ THE SCRIPTURES AND QUOTE BELOW THEN PRAY ABOUT YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH CHRIST.
“Let us rejoice and be glad and give Him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and His bride has made herself ready.Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.”(Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of God’s holy people.) Then the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!” And he added, “These are the true words of God.” Revelations 19:7-9 (NIV)
“Now to the unmarried and the widows I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried, as I do.” 1 Corinthians 7:8 (NIV)
“I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.” Revelations 21:2 (ESV)http://www.openbible.info

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